# Meitei cinema

Meitei cinema (Meitei: Meitei Mami Kumhei), also known as Maniwood, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Meitei language (officially called Manipuri language), widely spoken in the state of Manipur. The popular term Maniwood, is a portmanteau of "Manipuri" (official name of Meitei) and "Hollywood". Since its inception, Meitei cinema has played a significant role in the Meitei linguistic purism movement, often emphasizing proper Meitei language in place of pidgin dialects.
The origins of Meitei cinema date back to Matamgi Manipur (Meitei for 'Today's Manipur'), released in 1972 as the first full-length Meitei-language film and the first film made in Manipur. The film won the President's Medal at the 20th National Film Awards, establishing a milestone in Manipuri cinema. Another landmark came with Imagi Ningthem (Meitei for 'My Son, My Precious') in 1981, which brought international recognition by winning the Golden Montgolfiere at the 1982 Festival des 3 Continents in Nantes, elevating Indian cinema on the global stage.
In 1990, Ishanou (Meitei for 'The Chosen One') gained further acclaim, being screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival. This film was re-recognized in 2023 by Cannes as a "World Classic," marking its significance as the only Indian film selected for the event that year. Additionally, Keibu Keioiba (Meitei for 'Tiger-Head') became the first animation film in the Meitei language and in Manipuri cinema in 2009.
Reflecting local culture, since 2012, Maniwood has observed a dress code guideline: “If you wear jeans thrice on screen, you have to wear Manipuri dresses four times.” This practice reflects the Maniwood culture’s dedication to representing the Manipuri lifestyle and traditional attire. According to acclaimed director Aribam Syam Sharma, Meitei cinema authentically portrays the way of life and thinking of the Manipuri people.
Today, Ishanou, Oneness, and Eikhoigi Yum are among the top-rated Manipuri films on IMDb as of 2023, showcasing the enduring appeal of Meitei cinema among audiences.

## History
### Era of celluloid classic feature films (1972-1989)

| Year | Original Title (in Meitei script) | Romanization | Director | Producer | Banner | Format |
| 1972 | ꯃꯇꯝꯒꯤ ꯃꯅꯤꯄꯨꯔ | Matamgee Manipur | Deb Kumar Bose | K. Manimohan | T.K. Films Private Ltd. | 35mm Black and White |
| 1973 | ꯕ꯭ꯔꯣꯖꯦꯟꯗ꯭ꯔꯣ ꯒꯤ ꯂꯨꯍꯣꯡꯕ | Brojendra Gee Luhongba | S.N. Chand | S.N. Chand | Sajatia Pictures | 35mm Black and White |
| 1974 | ꯂꯝꯖꯥ ꯄꯔꯁꯨꯔꯥꯝ | Lamja Parsuram | Aribam Syam Sharma | G. Narayan Sharma | N.S. Films | 35mm Black and White |
| 1974 | ꯉꯛ-ꯏ-ꯀꯣ ꯅꯪꯁꯦ | Ngak-E-Ko Nangse | S.N. Chand | W. Basant Kumar | Poonam Films | 35mm Black and White |
| 1976 | ꯁꯥꯐꯕꯤ | Shaphabee | Aribam Syam Sharma | G. Narayan Sharma | N.S. Films | 35mm Black and White |
| 1979 | ꯈꯨꯊꯥꯡ ꯂꯝꯖꯦꯜ | Khuthang Lamjel | G.C. Tongbra | Th. Haridas | A.T. Films | 35mm Black and White (some parts were colour) |
| 1979 | ꯑꯣꯂꯥꯡꯊꯥꯒꯤ ꯋꯥꯡꯃꯗꯁꯨ | Olangthagee Wangmadasoo | Aribam Syam Sharma | G. Narayan Sharma | N.S. Films | 35mm Black and White |
| 1981 | ꯏꯃꯥꯒꯤ ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯦꯝ | Imagee Ningthem | Aribam Syam Sharma | K. Ibohal Sharma | X-Cine Productions | 16mm Converted to 35mm blowup (Black and White) |
| 1981 | ꯈꯣꯟꯖꯦꯜ | Khonjel | M.Nilamani | M.Nilamani | Anjana Films | 35mm Black and White |
| 1981 | ꯋꯥꯡꯃ ꯋꯥꯡꯃ | Wangma Wangma | L. Banka Sharma | L. Shyamsundar | Eastern Star Films | 35mm Black and White |
| 1983 | ꯁꯅꯥꯀꯩꯊꯦꯜ | Sanakeithel | M.A. Singh | Doren Thoudam | A.T.B. Films International (India) | 35mm Black and White |
| 1984 | ꯂꯥꯡꯂꯦꯟ ꯊꯥꯗꯣꯏ | Langlen Thadoi | M.A. Singh | Kh. Shakhi Devi | Kay Pee Films International (India) | 16mm Convert-ed to 35mm blowup (Colour) |
| 1984 | ꯌꯥꯏꯔꯤꯄꯣꯛ ꯊꯝꯕꯥꯜꯅꯨ | Yairipok Thambalnu | L. Banka Sharma | H. Gehendra | Liberty Films | 35mm Black and White |
| 1987 | ꯏꯆꯦ ꯁꯈꯤ | Eche Shakhi | Doren Thoudam & H. Ibotombi | Doren Thoudam | A.T.B. Films International (India) | 16mm Converted to 35mm blowup Colour |
| 1989 | ꯀꯣꯝꯕꯤꯔꯩ | Kombirei | G. Narayan Sharma | G. Narayan Sharma | N.S. Films | 35mm Colour |

## Cast and crew
### Actors

* Oken Amakcham
* Gokul Athokpam
* Gurumayum Bonny
* Shougrakpam Hemanta
* Kaiku Rajkumar
* Priyakanta Laishram
* Makhonmani Mongsaba
* Lairenjam Olen
* Hamom Sadananda
* Bijou Thaangjam
* Chinglen Thiyam
* Bonium Thokchom
* Kangabam Tomba

### Actresses

* Maya Choudhury
* Leishangthem Tonthoingambi
* Abenao Elangbam
* Bala Hijam
* Lin Laishram
* Soma Laishram
* Manda Leima
* Sushmita Mangsatabam
* Biju Ningombam
* Kshetrimayum Rashi
* Yengkhom Roma
* Kamala Saikhom
* Huirem Seema
* Tara

### Directors

* Oken Amakcham
* Homen D' Wai
* Oinam Gautam Singh
* Romi Meitei
* Makhonmani Mongsaba
* Haobam Paban Kumar
* Aribam Syam Sharma
* Bobby Wahengbam
* Priyakanta Laishram

## Bilingualism

Many Meitei language films have been made with other languages simultaneously.

### Meitei and English

| Year | Title | Director(s) |
| 2011 | Fried Fish, Chicken Soup and a Premiere Show | Mamta Murthy |
| 2013 | Manipuri Pony (film) | Aribam Syam Sharma |
| 2018 | Who Said Boys Can't Wear Makeup? | Priyakanta Laishram |
| 2024 | Oneness (film) | Priyakanta Laishram |

### Meitei and Japanese

| Year | Title | Director(s) | Ref |
| 2015 | My Japanese Niece | Mohen Naorem | |

### Meitei and Portuguese

| Year | Meitei Title | Portuguese Title | Director(s) | Ref |
| 2017 | Nura Pakhang | Eu e Tu | Romi Meitei | |

### Meitei and Tamil

| Year | Title | Director(s) | Ref |
| 1996 | Language of War | R.V. Ramani | |

### Meitei and Tangkhul

| Year | Title | Director(s) | Ref |
| 2021 | Nine Hills One Valley | Haobam Paban Kumar | |